Gov. Yusuf begins payment of N6bn backlog of gratuities to pensioners

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State inaugurated on Saturday the payment of about N6 billion of the backlog of gratuities to pensioners in the state.

Supreme News reports that Yusuf stated this during the take-off of the payment to some categories of retirees at Coronation Hall Government House Kano on Saturday.

He said his administration inherited a huge backlog of pensions and gratuities from retirees, saying many of them had passed away without receiving their entitlements.

” As you are aware, the eight years of the last administration witnessed neglect of so many sectors, which included the illegal deduction of monthly pensions.

"We made promises during the campaign that we would pay pension gratuities and also curtail monthly pension deductions if given the mandate; today we are fulfilling our promise in spite of the competing demands.

He noted that the payment would continue, stressing that the backlog of over N48 billion in pensions and gratuities would be settled in the near future.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the benefits for a bright future.

Delivering a speech, the Executive Chairman, Kano State Pension Trustee Fund, Alhaji Habu Fagge, said the board had a backlog of N48 billion.

He noted that injecting N6 billion into pensions would help immensely in reviving the economy, welfare, and livelihood of the people of the state.

In their separate remarks, the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi and Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, said the event was a great moment of the Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration for fulfilling the promise made to the pensioners in Kano.

They noted that the payment of the gratuities would end the life of hardships on retirees and, unbehalf of the civil servants and retirees, applauded the efforts of Gov. Abba Yusuf’s administration for the gesture.

Earlier, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, represented by the National Trustee of the union, Mr. Abdullahi Tsoho Garba, said the action exhibited by the governor was a clear indication that his administration was pensioner-friendly.

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who spoke through the Magajin Rafin Kano, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ahmed, commended “the giant stride” of the governor for starting the programme.

Malam Bala Sani and Hajiya Bilkisu Bashir were among the beneficiaries; they applauded the kind gesture of the government, saying it would go a long way in alliating their sufferings.